(10-02-2021 09:23 AM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:10 AM)PureGold Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 08:50 AM)Bigtom12 Wrote:  Why out of all the teams UNCC that be the last team I would pick

IMHO It's the reason USM has never been invited to the Big East/AAC...media market. They (the AAC) seem to be chasing media markets (for the most part) again.

I mean Southern Miss used to slap them all around as well. They got tired of being beat

I'd love Southern Miss, if it was realistic that they could raise their budget to even in the ballpark of the rest of the AAC. They'd have to double it to get even towards ECU who's towards the bottom of the league. The AAC has to add teams who can at least in relatively short order get their budgets up near 50 million, and that's just never going to be feasible for USM.

(10-02-2021 06:39 AM)JTApps1 Wrote:  The only SBC teams that fit the profile of the AAC are GSU, UL, and possibly Texas State. The Bobcats are in a prime location between two major cities, they have a large student body, and have good facilities. Aresco may try to grab several Texas teams to try to keep SMU and Tulsa from heading west.

Would USM still join with UL gone? I think so with stAte, USA, ULM and Troy still close by. Losing the two western most schools would probably increase the chance of adding Marshall and two more eastern schools. Unless La Tech comes to their senses.

What you see as something that makes us attractive is in fact something which holds us back. Yes, we’re between two major cities, cities where we do Not control the media market . . . this is one of the reasons CUSA took UTSA and told our AD to pound sand. I don’t think it would be any different with the AAC, which is looking for members who will enhance their media contract.
And I haven’t even started on our moribund football program . . .

No TXST ain’t going to the AAC.

(10-02-2021 07:35 AM)TealNation Wrote:  I would guess and hope USM knows they belong and will benefit better in the more traditional and passionate SBC niche opposed to a more urban and spread out AAC. For most of the SBC members, the AAC never wanted you to begin with and it'd be unfortunate for a member or two to chase faux rainbows in that league, after the AAC's two maybe three initial hands have been exposed as failures.

I share those same thoughts when it comes to USM & the AAC. I’ve been saying for a long time that we belong in the Sun Belt. Every possible metric says so.

When the AAC was formed, it was basically CUSA kicking out us, UAB, UTEP, & Rice. Even if they technically offered us a place (no one seems to know for sure), the league was designed to where we couldn’t viably accept it. As far as I’m concerned, they can all go find an off to f*** if they come crawling back now needing us.

The problem is I’m not making that decision and there is a generation of fans & boosters to whom playing Memphis, Tulane, & ECU on the regular were our glory days. Unless it’s just financially impossible (which is totally possible), I don’t see us passing on a chance to get the old band back together. All I’ve seen on our boards for years is, “If we could just play those guys again…” Yeah, well, we played them back then and they screwed us over. It’s time to try something different and go where we fit in and are appreciated. Just schedule those ACK guys OOC for old times’ sake if you feel that strongly about it—and assuming they’re wiling to play.

(10-02-2021 10:11 AM)HarborPointe Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 07:35 AM)TealNation Wrote:  I would guess and hope USM knows they belong and will benefit better in the more traditional and passionate SBC niche opposed to a more urban and spread out AAC. For most of the SBC members, the AAC never wanted you to begin with and it'd be unfortunate for a member or two to chase faux rainbows in that league, after the AAC's two maybe three initial hands have been exposed as failures.

I share those same thoughts when it comes to USM & the AAC. I’ve been saying for a long time that we belong in the Sun Belt. Every possible metric says so.

When the AAC was formed, it was basically CUSA kicking out us, UAB, UTEP, & Rice. Even if they technically offered us a place (no one seems to know for sure), the league was designed to where we couldn’t viably accept it. As far as I’m concerned, they can all go find an off to f*** if they come crawling back now needing us.

The problem is I’m not making that decision and there is a generation of fans & boosters to whom playing Memphis, Tulane, & ECU on the regular were our glory days. Unless it’s just financially impossible (which is totally possible), I don’t see us passing on a chance to get the old band back together. All I’ve seen on our boards for years is, “If we could just play those guys again…” Yeah, well, we played them back then and they screwed us over. It’s time to try something different and go where we fit in and are appreciated. Just schedule those ACK guys OOC for old times’ sake if you feel that strongly about it—and assuming they’re wiling to play.

Preach it HP.

(10-02-2021 10:11 AM)HarborPointe Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 07:35 AM)TealNation Wrote:  I would guess and hope USM knows they belong and will benefit better in the more traditional and passionate SBC niche opposed to a more urban and spread out AAC. For most of the SBC members, the AAC never wanted you to begin with and it'd be unfortunate for a member or two to chase faux rainbows in that league, after the AAC's two maybe three initial hands have been exposed as failures.

I share those same thoughts when it comes to USM & the AAC. I’ve been saying for a long time that we belong in the Sun Belt. Every possible metric says so.

When the AAC was formed, it was basically CUSA kicking out us, UAB, UTEP, & Rice. Even if they technically offered us a place (no one seems to know for sure), the league was designed to where we couldn’t viably accept it. As far as I’m concerned, they can all go find an off to f*** if they come crawling back now needing us.

The problem is I’m not making that decision and there is a generation of fans & boosters to whom playing Memphis, Tulane, & ECU on the regular were our glory days. Unless it’s just financially impossible (which is totally possible), I don’t see us passing on a chance to get the old band back together. All I’ve seen on our boards for years is, “If we could just play those guys again…” Yeah, well, we played them back then and they screwed us over. It’s time to try something different and go where we fit in and are appreciated. Just schedule those ACK guys OOC for old times’ sake if you feel that strongly about it—and assuming they’re wiling to play.

I'll agree with you...I was one of those who mentioned OOC opponents with these schools since they're no longer conference mates. That said, I'm not pushing for an invite to the AAC now...I don't expect one to happen because of media market and came around to that realization last go-round back in 2012. Also, is it really a wise choice for us now when we see the same habit out of this particular group of schools... always trying to figure out how to get to a better conference.

(10-02-2021 09:30 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:23 AM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:10 AM)PureGold Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 08:50 AM)Bigtom12 Wrote:  Why out of all the teams UNCC that be the last team I would pick

IMHO It's the reason USM has never been invited to the Big East/AAC...media market. They (the AAC) seem to be chasing media markets (for the most part) again.

I mean Southern Miss used to slap them all around as well. They got tired of being beat

I'd love Southern Miss, if it was realistic that they could raise their budget to even in the ballpark of the rest of the AAC. They'd have to double it to get even towards ECU who's towards the bottom of the league. The AAC has to add teams who can at least in relatively short order get their budgets up near 50 million, and that's just never going to be feasible for USM.

Aye, but you have discovered the problem the AAC faces. The large majority of SBC/CUSA schools would need to increase their Athletic Budgets significantly in order to make a move work, and that DOES NOT include entrance or exit fees.

There's going to need to be reasons to join and money to put the fees together. Some teams can get it. I know AState would likely throw their first born into a rattle snake pit to join a league with Memphis, Tulsa, and SMU. But you take a couple of those out of the league, and we're probably holding onto the kid rather than join East Carolina/Temple/USF. (I'm using as an example by the way, I know we're not on any list)

(10-02-2021 09:33 AM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 06:39 AM)JTApps1 Wrote:  The only SBC teams that fit the profile of the AAC are GSU, UL, and possibly Texas State. The Bobcats are in a prime location between two major cities, they have a large student body, and have good facilities. Aresco may try to grab several Texas teams to try to keep SMU and Tulsa from heading west.

Would USM still join with UL gone? I think so with stAte, USA, ULM and Troy still close by. Losing the two western most schools would probably increase the chance of adding Marshall and two more eastern schools. Unless La Tech comes to their senses.

What you see as something that makes us attractive is in fact something which holds us back. Yes, we’re between two major cities, cities where we do Not control the media market . . . this is one of the reasons CUSA took UTSA and told our AD to pound sand. I don’t think it would be any different with the AAC, which is looking for members who will enhance their media contract.
And I haven’t even started on our moribund football program . . .

No TXST ain’t going to the AAC.

Texas State is certainly exploring the options available to them. I just don't know if the AAC is one of those options.

If the CUSA West remains in tact minus Southern Miss/UAB, that would likely be enticing for the Bobcats, as I'm convinced the SBC isn't going to go after UTSA.

(10-02-2021 10:48 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:33 AM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 06:39 AM)JTApps1 Wrote:  The only SBC teams that fit the profile of the AAC are GSU, UL, and possibly Texas State. The Bobcats are in a prime location between two major cities, they have a large student body, and have good facilities. Aresco may try to grab several Texas teams to try to keep SMU and Tulsa from heading west.

Would USM still join with UL gone? I think so with stAte, USA, ULM and Troy still close by. Losing the two western most schools would probably increase the chance of adding Marshall and two more eastern schools. Unless La Tech comes to their senses.

What you see as something that makes us attractive is in fact something which holds us back. Yes, we’re between two major cities, cities where we do Not control the media market . . . this is one of the reasons CUSA took UTSA and told our AD to pound sand. I don’t think it would be any different with the AAC, which is looking for members who will enhance their media contract.
And I haven’t even started on our moribund football program . . .

No TXST ain’t going to the AAC.

Texas State is certainly exploring the options available to them. I just don't know if the AAC is one of those options.

If the CUSA West remains in tact minus Southern Miss/UAB, that would likely be enticing for the Bobcats, as I'm convinced the SBC isn't going to go after UTSA.

Ugh. No thanks. I get why they'd think do but I hate it. Be the one team to take a step down would be the Bobcat way though.

I’ll throw in a reminder here that Jeremy McClain, Southern Miss AD, held the same post for about four years at Troy. He knows the SBC. He worked to build the SBC. Food for thought. His replacement Brent Jones came from Southern Miss.

(10-02-2021 10:48 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:33 AM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 06:39 AM)JTApps1 Wrote:  The only SBC teams that fit the profile of the AAC are GSU, UL, and possibly Texas State. The Bobcats are in a prime location between two major cities, they have a large student body, and have good facilities. Aresco may try to grab several Texas teams to try to keep SMU and Tulsa from heading west.

Would USM still join with UL gone? I think so with stAte, USA, ULM and Troy still close by. Losing the two western most schools would probably increase the chance of adding Marshall and two more eastern schools. Unless La Tech comes to their senses.

What you see as something that makes us attractive is in fact something which holds us back. Yes, we’re between two major cities, cities where we do Not control the media market . . . this is one of the reasons CUSA took UTSA and told our AD to pound sand. I don’t think it would be any different with the AAC, which is looking for members who will enhance their media contract.
And I haven’t even started on our moribund football program . . .

No TXST ain’t going to the AAC.

Texas State is certainly exploring the options available to them. I just don't know if the AAC is one of those options.

If the CUSA West remains in tact minus Southern Miss/UAB, that would likely be enticing for the Bobcats, as I'm convinced the SBC isn't going to go after UTSA.

Uhhh, NO. The MW has shut the AAC down. . . which means in all likelihood the AAC looks to backfill from CUSA (possibly with two or more of the TX schools) and maybe an SBC school or two. Once that’s over, why would TXST want to join a further weakened CUSA stretching from El Paso to the East Coast . . .

I get why many of y’all want to dump us (football) . . . But if the above scenario plays out, I don’t see a move to CUSA as in our best interests.

Think we’re better off standing pat, and continuing to pray for Devine Intervention for our football program, and the off chance that the SBC can add another TX school at some point.

(10-02-2021 10:43 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:30 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:23 AM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:10 AM)PureGold Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 08:50 AM)Bigtom12 Wrote:  Why out of all the teams UNCC that be the last team I would pick

IMHO It's the reason USM has never been invited to the Big East/AAC...media market. They (the AAC) seem to be chasing media markets (for the most part) again.

I mean Southern Miss used to slap them all around as well. They got tired of being beat

I'd love Southern Miss, if it was realistic that they could raise their budget to even in the ballpark of the rest of the AAC. They'd have to double it to get even towards ECU who's towards the bottom of the league. The AAC has to add teams who can at least in relatively short order get their budgets up near 50 million, and that's just never going to be feasible for USM.

Aye, but you have discovered the problem the AAC faces. The large majority of SBC/CUSA schools would need to increase their Athletic Budgets significantly in order to make a move work, and that DOES NOT include entrance or exit fees.

There's going to need to be reasons to join and money to put the fees together. Some teams can get it. I know AState would likely throw their first born into a rattle snake pit to join a league with Memphis, Tulsa, and SMU. But you take a couple of those out of the league, and we're probably holding onto the kid rather than join East Carolina/Temple/USF. (I'm using as an example by the way, I know we're not on any list)

Absolutely. There's a reason anytime you hear a national name mention the eastern names it's "UAB and then someone like insert random UTSA/Charlotte/FAU name". The AAC will add someone else besides UAB. I'd actually argue they should add only UAB and sit at 9 but maybe that's not viable, but 10 is max number I'd go to since Army and the MWC schools are dead. Doing the whole C-USA thing of adding a bunch of markets with no history of performance in either major sport is proven to fail. The AAC also has to consider basketball, they actually make money off of it and being a multi bid league is a big differentiator from the Sun-Belt/C-USA, and remaining better than the MWC in hoops matters. I think the 2 should be UAB and Buffalo, but there seems to be no one mentioning Buffalo. Now maybe that changes since I don't think the AAC was even seriously considering the eastern additions, but they make sense on a lot of levels.

How confident are we that the SBC wants UAB and that UAB is just holding out for an AAC invite?

The reason I ask is that it's eerily similar to the latech situation in 2012 where they missed out on a bowl because they were hoping for a Liberty Bowl invitation to avoid playing us. Personally, I'm tired of the pussyfooting around and waiting for others to dictate our conference future. It's time to extend official invitation and make these guys pull the trigger or die in purgatory like latech hopefully will.

(10-02-2021 11:50 AM)WARDAWG93 Wrote:  How confident are we that the SBC wants UAB and that UAB is just holding out for an AAC invite?

The reason I ask is that it's eerily similar to the latech situation in 2012 where they missed out on a bowl because they were hoping for a Liberty Bowl invitation to avoid playing us. Personally, I'm tired of the pussyfooting around and waiting for others to dictate our conference future. It's time to extend official invitation and make these guys pull the trigger or die in purgatory like latech hopefully will.

The SBC Would run over 3 old ladies walking across the street with a tractor trailer to get UAB. If UAB was left alone by the AAC, I would expect the SBC to chase Marshall/UAB/Western to get to 14 with USM. However, I'm not sure UAB is that eager to get rid of Judy McLeod, we'll see.

(10-02-2021 11:23 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 10:43 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:30 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:23 AM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:10 AM)PureGold Wrote:  IMHO It's the reason USM has never been invited to the Big East/AAC...media market. They (the AAC) seem to be chasing media markets (for the most part) again.

I mean Southern Miss used to slap them all around as well. They got tired of being beat

I'd love Southern Miss, if it was realistic that they could raise their budget to even in the ballpark of the rest of the AAC. They'd have to double it to get even towards ECU who's towards the bottom of the league. The AAC has to add teams who can at least in relatively short order get their budgets up near 50 million, and that's just never going to be feasible for USM.

Aye, but you have discovered the problem the AAC faces. The large majority of SBC/CUSA schools would need to increase their Athletic Budgets significantly in order to make a move work, and that DOES NOT include entrance or exit fees.

There's going to need to be reasons to join and money to put the fees together. Some teams can get it. I know AState would likely throw their first born into a rattle snake pit to join a league with Memphis, Tulsa, and SMU. But you take a couple of those out of the league, and we're probably holding onto the kid rather than join East Carolina/Temple/USF. (I'm using as an example by the way, I know we're not on any list)

Absolutely. There's a reason anytime you hear a national name mention the eastern names it's "UAB and then someone like insert random UTSA/Charlotte/FAU name". The AAC will add someone else besides UAB. I'd actually argue they should add only UAB and sit at 9 but maybe that's not viable, but 10 is max number I'd go to since Army and the MWC schools are dead. Doing the whole C-USA thing of adding a bunch of markets with no history of performance in either major sport is proven to fail. The AAC also has to consider basketball, they actually make money off of it and being a multi bid league is a big differentiator from the Sun-Belt/C-USA, and remaining better than the MWC in hoops matters. I think the 2 should be UAB and Buffalo, but there seems to be no one mentioning Buffalo. Now maybe that changes since I don't think the AAC was even seriously considering the eastern additions, but they make sense on a lot of levels.

The biggest question to me, is why does the AAC exist as a league? Is your entire existence to prove you are worthy of being the 6th Power conference in the country, or do you guys have any actual common traits that make you want to stay together as a league?

While its nice to claim that you are the stepping stone to the P5's, that might not work on some in the CUSA/SBC who likely know at the administration level that they aren't really a P5 level school to begin with.

(10-02-2021 10:11 AM)HarborPointe Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 07:35 AM)TealNation Wrote:  I would guess and hope USM knows they belong and will benefit better in the more traditional and passionate SBC niche opposed to a more urban and spread out AAC. For most of the SBC members, the AAC never wanted you to begin with and it'd be unfortunate for a member or two to chase faux rainbows in that league, after the AAC's two maybe three initial hands have been exposed as failures.

I share those same thoughts when it comes to USM & the AAC. I’ve been saying for a long time that we belong in the Sun Belt. Every possible metric says so.

When the AAC was formed, it was basically CUSA kicking out us, UAB, UTEP, & Rice. Even if they technically offered us a place (no one seems to know for sure), the league was designed to where we couldn’t viably accept it. As far as I’m concerned, they can all go find an off to f*** if they come crawling back now needing us.

The problem is I’m not making that decision and there is a generation of fans & boosters to whom playing Memphis, Tulane, & ECU on the regular were our glory days. Unless it’s just financially impossible (which is totally possible), I don’t see us passing on a chance to get the old band back together. All I’ve seen on our boards for years is, “If we could just play those guys again…” Yeah, well, we played them back then and they screwed us over. It’s time to try something different and go where we fit in and are appreciated. Just schedule those ACK guys OOC for old times’ sake if you feel that strongly about it—and assuming they’re wiling to play.

I'd like to hear more about the statement in bold (genuinely interested in the backstory). What did the AAC do that would have prevented USM from accepting?

(10-02-2021 12:25 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 11:23 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 10:43 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:30 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 09:23 AM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  I mean Southern Miss used to slap them all around as well. They got tired of being beat

I'd love Southern Miss, if it was realistic that they could raise their budget to even in the ballpark of the rest of the AAC. They'd have to double it to get even towards ECU who's towards the bottom of the league. The AAC has to add teams who can at least in relatively short order get their budgets up near 50 million, and that's just never going to be feasible for USM.

Aye, but you have discovered the problem the AAC faces. The large majority of SBC/CUSA schools would need to increase their Athletic Budgets significantly in order to make a move work, and that DOES NOT include entrance or exit fees.

There's going to need to be reasons to join and money to put the fees together. Some teams can get it. I know AState would likely throw their first born into a rattle snake pit to join a league with Memphis, Tulsa, and SMU. But you take a couple of those out of the league, and we're probably holding onto the kid rather than join East Carolina/Temple/USF. (I'm using as an example by the way, I know we're not on any list)

Absolutely. There's a reason anytime you hear a national name mention the eastern names it's "UAB and then someone like insert random UTSA/Charlotte/FAU name". The AAC will add someone else besides UAB. I'd actually argue they should add only UAB and sit at 9 but maybe that's not viable, but 10 is max number I'd go to since Army and the MWC schools are dead. Doing the whole C-USA thing of adding a bunch of markets with no history of performance in either major sport is proven to fail. The AAC also has to consider basketball, they actually make money off of it and being a multi bid league is a big differentiator from the Sun-Belt/C-USA, and remaining better than the MWC in hoops matters. I think the 2 should be UAB and Buffalo, but there seems to be no one mentioning Buffalo. Now maybe that changes since I don't think the AAC was even seriously considering the eastern additions, but they make sense on a lot of levels.

The biggest question to me, is why does the AAC exist as a league? Is your entire existence to prove you are worthy of being the 6th Power conference in the country, or do you guys have any actual common traits that make you want to stay together as a league?

While its nice to claim that you are the stepping stone to the P5's, that might not work on some in the CUSA/SBC who likely know at the administration level that they aren't really a P5 level school to begin with.

Then those programs shouldn't be added. If you have up front accepted you can't ever envision a scenario where you could be a "Power" program then you are a better fit somewhere else. The goal of G5 football is to escape G5 football.

(10-02-2021 12:40 PM)freshtop Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 10:11 AM)HarborPointe Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 07:35 AM)TealNation Wrote:  I would guess and hope USM knows they belong and will benefit better in the more traditional and passionate SBC niche opposed to a more urban and spread out AAC. For most of the SBC members, the AAC never wanted you to begin with and it'd be unfortunate for a member or two to chase faux rainbows in that league, after the AAC's two maybe three initial hands have been exposed as failures.

I share those same thoughts when it comes to USM & the AAC. I’ve been saying for a long time that we belong in the Sun Belt. Every possible metric says so.

When the AAC was formed, it was basically CUSA kicking out us, UAB, UTEP, & Rice. Even if they technically offered us a place (no one seems to know for sure), the league was designed to where we couldn’t viably accept it. As far as I’m concerned, they can all go find an off to f*** if they come crawling back now needing us.

The problem is I’m not making that decision and there is a generation of fans & boosters to whom playing Memphis, Tulane, & ECU on the regular were our glory days. Unless it’s just financially impossible (which is totally possible), I don’t see us passing on a chance to get the old band back together. All I’ve seen on our boards for years is, “If we could just play those guys again…” Yeah, well, we played them back then and they screwed us over. It’s time to try something different and go where we fit in and are appreciated. Just schedule those ACK guys OOC for old times’ sake if you feel that strongly about it—and assuming they’re wiling to play.

I'd like to hear more about the statement in bold (genuinely interested in the backstory). What did the AAC do that would have prevented USM from accepting?

There is a hard-to-confirm rumor that USM was offered a spot in the AAC and turned it down over the entrance fee. At the time the AAC was forming, our athletic leadership was in flux and we were going 0-12 following a 12 win season. I’m about 80% sure it happened. The situation at USM in the 2010-2013 span was the very definition of dysfunctional.

(10-02-2021 01:12 PM)FairwayEagle Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 12:40 PM)freshtop Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 10:11 AM)HarborPointe Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 07:35 AM)TealNation Wrote:  I would guess and hope USM knows they belong and will benefit better in the more traditional and passionate SBC niche opposed to a more urban and spread out AAC. For most of the SBC members, the AAC never wanted you to begin with and it'd be unfortunate for a member or two to chase faux rainbows in that league, after the AAC's two maybe three initial hands have been exposed as failures.

I share those same thoughts when it comes to USM & the AAC. I’ve been saying for a long time that we belong in the Sun Belt. Every possible metric says so.

When the AAC was formed, it was basically CUSA kicking out us, UAB, UTEP, & Rice. Even if they technically offered us a place (no one seems to know for sure), the league was designed to where we couldn’t viably accept it. As far as I’m concerned, they can all go find an off to f*** if they come crawling back now needing us.

The problem is I’m not making that decision and there is a generation of fans & boosters to whom playing Memphis, Tulane, & ECU on the regular were our glory days. Unless it’s just financially impossible (which is totally possible), I don’t see us passing on a chance to get the old band back together. All I’ve seen on our boards for years is, “If we could just play those guys again…” Yeah, well, we played them back then and they screwed us over. It’s time to try something different and go where we fit in and are appreciated. Just schedule those ACK guys OOC for old times’ sake if you feel that strongly about it—and assuming they’re wiling to play.

I'd like to hear more about the statement in bold (genuinely interested in the backstory). What did the AAC do that would have prevented USM from accepting?

There is a hard-to-confirm rumor that USM was offered a spot in the AAC and turned it down over the entrance fee. At the time the AAC was forming, our athletic leadership was in flux and we were going 0-12 following a 12 win season. I’m about 80% sure it happened. The situation at USM in the 2010-2013 span was the very definition of dysfunctional.

We have never fit the criteria that league wants. I've always kinda thought that rumor was an urban legend our fans picked up so we could feel even worse about our leadership; there's very little we like more than that.

(10-02-2021 01:24 PM)raptorbpw Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 01:12 PM)FairwayEagle Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 12:40 PM)freshtop Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 10:11 AM)HarborPointe Wrote:  

(10-02-2021 07:35 AM)TealNation Wrote:  I would guess and hope USM knows they belong and will benefit better in the more traditional and passionate SBC niche opposed to a more urban and spread out AAC. For most of the SBC members, the AAC never wanted you to begin with and it'd be unfortunate for a member or two to chase faux rainbows in that league, after the AAC's two maybe three initial hands have been exposed as failures.

I share those same thoughts when it comes to USM & the AAC. I’ve been saying for a long time that we belong in the Sun Belt. Every possible metric says so.

When the AAC was formed, it was basically CUSA kicking out us, UAB, UTEP, & Rice. Even if they technically offered us a place (no one seems to know for sure), the league was designed to where we couldn’t viably accept it. As far as I’m concerned, they can all go find an off to f*** if they come crawling back now needing us.

The problem is I’m not making that decision and there is a generation of fans & boosters to whom playing Memphis, Tulane, & ECU on the regular were our glory days. Unless it’s just financially impossible (which is totally possible), I don’t see us passing on a chance to get the old band back together. All I’ve seen on our boards for years is, “If we could just play those guys again…” Yeah, well, we played them back then and they screwed us over. It’s time to try something different and go where we fit in and are appreciated. Just schedule those ACK guys OOC for old times’ sake if you feel that strongly about it—and assuming they’re wiling to play.

I'd like to hear more about the statement in bold (genuinely interested in the backstory). What did the AAC do that would have prevented USM from accepting?

There is a hard-to-confirm rumor that USM was offered a spot in the AAC and turned it down over the entrance fee. At the time the AAC was forming, our athletic leadership was in flux and we were going 0-12 following a 12 win season. I’m about 80% sure it happened. The situation at USM in the 2010-2013 span was the very definition of dysfunctional.

We have never fit the criteria that league wants. I've always kinda thought that rumor was an urban legend our fans picked up so we could feel even worse about our leadership; there's very little we like more than that.

I'd bank on that. I don't care how broke you are, if an opportunity like that comes up, some boosters will make it happen if it is just a matter of an entry/exit fee.

(10-02-2021 01:42 PM)freshtop Wrote:  I'd bank on that. I don't care how broke you are, if an opportunity like that comes up, some boosters will make it happen if it is just a matter of an entry/exit fee.

If it happened, it wasn’t just the up-front entry fee. It was also the investment required to “meet criteria.” A 7-figure entry fee is one thing. 9 figures worth of facility upgrades tomorrow is a different animal entirely.

By the time the Big 12 nearly expanded a few years ago but didn’t, the AAC had already walked back some of that criteria. The needier you get, the less picky you become.